For many New Englanders, Autumn is their favorite season of the year. In Massachusetts, Fall is a special time of year for a variety of things to do outside before the unforgiving Winter comes. Whether you’re looking for breathtaking views of the fall foliage, anything pumpkin or a special place to enjoy the Halloween holiday, Massachusetts [...]
Prior to the 1820s, the Back Bay was literally a saltwater bay that was used for mill operations. However, due to intense overcrowding in Boston as the city became a popular manufacturing and shipping hub, developers saw Back Bay as an area with a lot of potential for urban renewal. By the 1880s after large-scale landfilling in the bay there [...]
The 2023 Boston Cow Parade has kicked off and Cabot is lucky to have a few of the fiberglass life-sized art pieces in our own backyard. The decade-old tradition originated in 1998 in Zurich, Switzerland, and has since become a worldwide public art event. Cities that have participated in the past include Madrid, Edinburgh, Perth, Manchester, [...]
Beacon Hill is one of Boston's most historic neighborhoods, known for its charming cobblestone streets, elegant brick townhouses, and proximity to the Massachusetts State House. It is located in the heart of the city and is bordered by the Charles River, the Boston Common, and Back Bay. Beacon Hill is a highly sought-after neighborhood for [...]
After long and cold winters around New England, Spring is always a feel good time. Besides the start of later sunsets and blooming trees, here are a few exciting events and activities to look forward to:
Whether you like spending Winter days inside and out of the cold, or enjoy fresh winter air outside, there are plenty of things to do around Boston this holiday season on all budgets. Here are a few shopping, dining and entertainment ideas:
Visit South End’s SoWa Winter Festival - Enjoy food, drinks, and get some of your holiday shopping done! https://www.sowaboston.com/sowa-winter-festival/
Make a trip to the Seaport’s Snowport, aka Winter in Seaport - Reserve a rooftop Igloo snacks/drinks and views, buy a Christmas tree, more shopping with neighborhood stroll, attend Menorah Lighting, or try curling! And so much more! https://www.bostonseaport.xyz/snowport/
Enjoy live music? There is something for everyone with daily live music events near you: https://hearby.com. And you can find more shows here: https://www.bochcenter.org/events/all
Apple picking season is here! Fun for the entire family throughout orchards in Boston's neighboring towns. A great way to escape the brick & mortar and pick your own sweet, crunchy apples. From Cortland, Honeycrisp to McIntosh - you cannot go wrong with any variety. With the crisp autumn air and the endless consumption of apple cider/cider donuts, this time of year proves to be favorited by all. If you’re looking to experience this classic New England activity within a reasonable distance from Boston, there are plenty of orchards to explore. Here are a few popular options:
Shelburne Farms (Stow, MA) - https://www.shelburnefarm.com/
Russell Orchards (Ipswich, MA) - https://www.russellorchards.com
Smolak Farms (North Andover, MA) - https://www.smolakfarms.com
Brooksby Farm (Peabody, MA) - https://brooksbyfarm.org/
Carver Hill Orchards (Stow, MA) - https://www.carverhillorchard.com
Connors Farm (Danvers, MA) - https://www.connorsfarm.com
Carlson Orchards (Harvard, MA) - https://carlsonorchards.com/
Berlin Orchards (Berlin, MA) - https://www.berlinorchards.com
Parlee Farms (Tynsgborough, MA) - https://parleefarms.com
I think we can all agree that summer in New England goes by way too fast. I always panic when August hits and I haven’t taken advantage of all the outdoor activities Boston has to offer. If you are in the same boat, I have some good news, there is still time to attend one of the many outdoor events in Boston, and they are FREE! Here are a [...]
Earlier this month, we were fortunate to have a private presentation from Debra Taylor, President of LINK Listing Information Network, to review some of the latest data and statistics on Boston's housing market.
Some of the key takeaways:
The Boston market is stabilizing, not riding a bubble or coming off a cliff. This is due to a strong [...]
Did you know one of Boston's most desirable neighborhoods used to be a swamp? It's true. In the mid 1850's, the area was wetlands, a tidal bay. Trains brought in gravel from places like Needham to fill in the 700 acres now known as the Back Bay. These days, the Back Bay is considered to be one of Boston's top neighborhoods, with its stately brownstones, quaint shopping and top-notch restaurants. Talk about places in demand, according to LINK, the Back Bay had 112 condo sales in Q4 of 2021 with an average selling price of $2,972,135 and an average price per square foot of $1,555 (12% higher than 2020).
It is perhaps the most walkable part of the City. The streets are a grid laid out in alphabetical order starting at Arlington Street. It's a short stroll to Fenway Park, Copley Place and the Prudential Center. In fact you can walk to all of the attractions in this area of the City, and it's one of the top areas in the City for bike riders.
Some of the most popular spots in the Back Bay:
Charles River Esplanade – Perfect for afternoon exercise, this State-owned park stretches in a 17 mile loop along the Charles River. It is one of Back Bay’s most popular spots when the weather warms up and is filled with playgrounds, hiking, and biking trails. You won't find a better place in the city for a picturesque run, walk, or picnic! Watch the sailboats or rowers out on the river. It's THE place to be for the annual 4th of July concert by the Boston Pops and fireworks show at the Hatch Shell.
Newbury Street - Running from the Public Garden through Brookline Ave., Newbury Street is best known for its high-end shops and restaurants. Still, there is something for everyone and it is a wonderful place to wander and spend an afternoon.
Public Garden - The famous George Washington statue is there to greet you as you enter the Public Garden at the end of Commonwealth Ave. It's one of the most photographed green spaces in the Country, let alone in Boston. Sit under a tree in the shade and read a good book, or maybe take the kids and enjoy a ride on the iconic swan boats, or pose for a picture by the Make Way for Ducklings statues.
Boston Public Library - This Library has over 23-million items, making it one of the largest collections in the Country. It includes pieces from William Shakespeare, Mozart and the personal library of John Adams. Historian David McCullough called it one of the five most important libraries in the United States. Grab a coffee and read a book or make a reservation to have an elegant 90 minute dining experience at the Courtyard Tea Room. Located in Copley Square, the Boston Public Library is a wonderful Back Bay treasure.